Our Thanks To

SSRI enjoys the ongoing support of our staff, our executive, our board, as well as a number of associates, volunteers, and anonymous contributors, all of whom have continued to donate their time, effort and other resources to help us progress toward our goals. To all of our supporters we send a big THANK YOU for all of your various contributions, past and future. We wouldn’t be where we are without you!

SSRI accepts with gratitude the continuing support of Troy Birch. With the aid of the Callum Brown Memorial Gift fundraiser held by the Wollongong Hydrographic Office and the support of the Brown family of Thirroul, Troy has regularly donated funds towards the Broad Spectrum Meningococcal Vaccine.

The team at SSRI acknowledges the pain suffered by many of our supporters, such as Troy, who have lost friends and loved ones to the ravages of meningococcal infection. It is our wish that by our efforts and the support of Troy and others like him, we may advance the knowledge available to humanity regarding this most aggressive and life threatening of illnesses to be able to eradicate the pain and suffering caused by it for future generations.

Troy Birch has been able to double the mileage of his donations to SSRI, thanks to BHP Billiton. Troy, an employee of BHP Billiton, applied to his employer for funding to match his donations under BHP Billiton’s Matched Giving Program. Under this scheme, BHP Billiton offers to match community contributions made by their employees, with the aim of supporting those not-for-profit community organisations their employees support.

SSRI gratefully accepts this further fruit of Troy’s efforts and thanks BHP Billiton for their generosity in supporting the effort to fight meningococcal in our community and the world.

Troy Birch has been able to double the mileage of his donations to SSRI, thanks to BHP Billiton. Troy, an employee of BHP Billiton, applied to his employer for funding to match his donations under BHP Billiton’s Matched Giving Program. Under this scheme, BHP Billiton offers to match community contributions made by their employees, with the aim of supporting those not-for-profit community organisations their employees support.

SSRI gratefully accepts this further fruit of Troy’s efforts and thanks BHP Billiton for their generosity in supporting the effort to fight meningococcal in our community and the world.

SSRI accepts with gratitude the continuing support of Troy Birch. With the aid of the Callum Brown Memorial Gift fundraiser held by the Wollongong Hydrographic Office and the support of the Brown family of Thirroul, Troy has regularly donated funds towards the Broad Spectrum Meningococcal Vaccine.

The team at SSRI acknowledges the pain suffered by many of our supporters, such as Troy, who have lost friends and loved ones to the ravages of meningococcal infection. It is our wish that by our efforts and the support of Troy and others like him, we may advance the knowledge available to humanity regarding this most aggressive and life threatening of illnesses to be able to eradicate the pain and suffering caused by it for future generations.

We acknowledge and thank B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 for their ongoing support and contributions towards essential equipment we have purchased to further our work. Among other things, their donations have assisted us in procuring a Bio-Rad ChemiDoc molecular imager, which enhances our ability and efficiency in analysing the results of our experiments. This not only accelerates our research efforts but also allows for greater precision in our findings.

The Bio-rad Chemidoc XRS+ in our lab. The plaque attached to the bottom-right of it reads, “Donated by B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 Charitable Trust 22/12/2011.”

SSRI accepts with gratitude the continuing support of Troy Birch. With the aid of the Callum Brown Memorial Gift fundraiser held by the Wollongong Hydrographic Office and the support of the Brown family of Thirroul, Troy has regularly donated funds towards the Broad Spectrum Meningococcal Vaccine.

The team at SSRI acknowledges the pain suffered by many of our supporters, such as Troy, who have lost friends and loved ones to the ravages of meningococcal infection. It is our wish that by our efforts and the support of Troy and others like him, we may advance the knowledge available to humanity regarding this most aggressive and life threatening of illnesses to be able to eradicate the pain and suffering caused by it for future generations.

We acknowledge and thank B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 for their ongoing support and contributions towards essential equipment we have purchased to further our work. Among other things, their donations have assisted us in procuring a Bio-Rad ChemiDoc molecular imager, which enhances our ability and efficiency in analysing the results of our experiments. This not only accelerates our research efforts but also allows for greater precision in our findings.

The Bio-rad Chemidoc XRS+ in our lab. The plaque attached to the bottom-right of it reads, “Donated by B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 Charitable Trust 22/12/2011.”

SSRI enjoys the ongoing support of our staff, our executive, our board, as well as a number of associates, volunteers, and anonymous contributors, all of whom have continued to donate their time, effort and other resources to help us progress toward our goals. To all of our supporters we send a big THANK YOU for all of your various contributions, past and future. We wouldn’t be where we are without you!

SSRI enjoys the ongoing support of our staff, our executive, our board, as well as a number of associates, volunteers, and anonymous contributors, all of whom have continued to donate their time, effort and other resources to help us progress toward our goals. To all of our supporters we send a big THANK YOU for all of your various contributions, past and future. We wouldn’t be where we are without you!

Troy Birch has been able to double the mileage of his donations to SSRI, thanks to BHP Billiton. Troy, an employee of BHP Billiton, applied to his employer for funding to match his donations under BHP Billiton’s Matched Giving Program. Under this scheme, BHP Billiton offers to match community contributions made by their employees, with the aim of supporting those not-for-profit community organisations their employees support.

SSRI gratefully accepts this further fruit of Troy’s efforts and thanks BHP Billiton for their generosity in supporting the effort to fight meningococcal in our community and the world.

SSRI accepts with gratitude the continuing support of Troy Birch. With the aid of the Callum Brown Memorial Gift fundraiser held by the Wollongong Hydrographic Office and the support of the Brown family of Thirroul, Troy has regularly donated funds towards the Broad Spectrum Meningococcal Vaccine.

The team at SSRI acknowledges the pain suffered by many of our supporters, such as Troy, who have lost friends and loved ones to the ravages of meningococcal infection. It is our wish that by our efforts and the support of Troy and others like him, we may advance the knowledge available to humanity regarding this most aggressive and life threatening of illnesses to be able to eradicate the pain and suffering caused by it for future generations.

We acknowledge and thank B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 for their ongoing support and contributions towards essential equipment we have purchased to further our work. Among other things, their donations have assisted us in procuring a Bio-Rad ChemiDoc molecular imager, which enhances our ability and efficiency in analysing the results of our experiments. This not only accelerates our research efforts but also allows for greater precision in our findings.

The Bio-rad Chemidoc XRS+ in our lab. The plaque attached to the bottom-right of it reads, “Donated by B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge No. 1546 Charitable Trust 22/12/2011.”

SSRI enjoys the ongoing support of our staff, our executive, our board, as well as a number of associates, volunteers, and anonymous contributors, all of whom have continued to donate their time, effort and other resources to help us progress toward our goals. To all of our supporters we send a big THANK YOU for all of your various contributions, past and future. We wouldn’t be where we are without you!

SSRI accepts with gratitude the continuing support of Troy Birch. With the aid of the Callum Brown Memorial Gift fundraiser held by the Wollongong Hydrographic Office and the support of the Brown family of Thirroul, Troy has regularly donated funds towards the Broad Spectrum Meningococcal Vaccine.

The team at SSRI acknowledges the pain suffered by many of our supporters, such as Troy, who have lost friends and loved ones to the ravages of meningococcal infection. It is our wish that by our efforts and the support of Troy and others like him, we may advance the knowledge available to humanity regarding this most aggressive and life threatening of illnesses to be able to eradicate the pain and suffering caused by it for future generations.

The Stephen Sanig Research Institute extends its gratitude to our youngest supporter, Rishi Krishnan, who for his first birthday decided to forgo boxes of toys from his extended family, rather asking for presents of money that he may donate to SSRI.  Inviting around 30 families to celebrate the occasion, Rishi Krishnan was able to raise an amount of $1,000 towards SSRI’s ongoing research, a cheque for which he personally presented to Dr Kaseko who gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of SSRI.

SSRI would also like to thank Rishi’s parents, Mr. Rajeev and Mrs. Sabna Krishnan, for introducing SSRI to their most gracious son.

Dr. Kaseko receiving a cheque for $1,000 from Rishi Krishnan

SSRI is very grateful for the continual ongoing support of Mr. Ken Bowie and his wife, Mrs. Merle Bowie.  Ken continues to assist SSRI’s research team by creating and repairing a number of specialised pieces of laboratory equipment essential to their research.  Ken’s smiling visage radiates with the warmth of a truly generous spirit.

Outside of the laboratory, Ken has on numerous occasions extended his support for SSRI’s work, whether by an encouraging word or a cash donation towards any of a number of small projects SSRI has run over the years.  Together with his wife, Ken has raised and continues to raise a significant sum from his local community towards the work of the Institute.

SSRI greatly thanks his wife and him for their ceaseless and untiring support of the Institute and its mission.

Deaths from meningococcal infection are currently standing at, very roughly, around 0.1 per 100,000 of population per year. For Australia’s current population, this amounts to about 20 deaths from meningococcal every year, sometimes a few more, sometimes a few less. For each death, there are a greater number of survivors, many of whom are left with permanent scars in the form of amputated digits or limbs.

One of the most disturbing characteristics of meningococcal infection is the speed with which it claims its victims, often leaving no time for family members and close friends to even say goodbye. Thus, for each casualty there is an even greater circle of family and friends who are left to bear the emotional scars after the loss or permanent disfigurement of their loved one.

One such family is the Brown family of Thirroul who lost their loved one, Mr. Callum Martin Brown, in 2000 to meningococcal infection. Mr. Murray Brown, Callum’s brother, and Mrs. Jeanne Stewart Brown, Callum’s mother, have focused and dedicated their energies to the search for a cure for this most deadly and virulent illness since the loss of their brother and son.

By working within their local community to raise the profile of meningococcal infection, the Brown family has succeeded in collecting much needed funds toward the ongoing research efforts to find a treatment for this deadly disease. SSRI acknowledges the Brown family’s grief for their loss, and we extend our gratitude to them for the very significant support they have so far been able to garner from their community for the continuance of our research efforts into this rare but merciless affliction.

12 MARCH 2009 CAUNT AND LOWBEER

As a not-for-profit organisation with no permanent affiliation to any particular benefactor, the Stephen Sanig Research Institute relies heavily on the philanthropic spirit within our community, our networks of friends, and our many allies, both individuals and corporations, in our search for the treatments of many serious medical conditions.

A team of such philanthropic benefactors which we are thankful and proud to have had the support of have been Mr. Peter E. Caunt, Mr. John J. Lowbeer, Mr. Paul Hareb, and Mr. Mark Williams of Caunt and Lowbeer. Over a number of years, Caunt and Lowbeer have made notably generous contributions in support of our research at SSRI.

Peter, John, Paul and Mark have shown the most truly generous spirit of philanthropy on which SSRI so heavily depends. Our particular thanks go to Paul for his professional and financial contributions to SSRI. It is only by working together towards a vision of humanity greater than any one of us alone could achieve, that we can truly evolve. SSRI thanks them for the invaluable role they played in achieving this vision.

4 SEPTEMBER 2008 DESIGNER RUGS

SSRI wishes to thank Designer Rugs for raising $51,000 in their recent charity fund raising drive dubbed, “The Rug Project,” a portion of the proceeds of which has kindly been donated to SSRI.

Designer Rugs joined forces with Virginia Wilson of Virginia Wilson Art in inviting seven of Australia’s leading contemporary artists to create single edition wall and floor rugs that both extend their art practice and broaden the style of rugs produced by Designer Rugs.  Their creations were then auctioned for charity on 27 August 2008 at the funky new space b2 Studios, Alexandria.

Artists participating in The Rug Project were Shaun Gladwell (recently selected to represent Australia at the next Venice Biennale), Newell Harry, Clinton Nain, Hossein Valamanesh, Justin Trendall, Kirsteen Pieterse and Gemma Smith.  They were selected by a committee consisting of Christine Morrow – curator, Museum of Contemporary Art; David Clark – editor, Vogue Living; Ewen McDonald – Museum of Contemporary Art; Paul Flynn – editor, Artist Profile; Sue Cato – director, Cato Counsel and a director of the Museum of Contemporary Art; Virginia Wilson – Virginia Wilson Art; and Yosi Tal – managing director, Designer Rugs.

The invitation-only auction’s MC for the evening was David Clark, editor of Vogue Living, with Paul Sumner of Mossgreen taking the spotlight as auctioneer.  The guests at the event were a veritable who’s who of Australia’s serious art collectors and connoisseurs, each looking to take away a piece of local art history for their home or office.

Over two decades Designer Rugs has forged a reputation as a maker of premium rugs. More than simply a manufacturer, the Designer Rugs team oversees true craftsmanship of an ever changing collection of designs. Designer Rugs specialises in custom made design and sizing, fusing modern design with traditional craftsmanship to create an exclusive range of hand-woven rugs, as well as signature collections by their unique artists and designers.

Virginia Wilson is a Sydney based art consultant who provides comprehensive advice within the Australian contemporary art market, specializing in working closely with architects and developers on site specific installations.

This project was made possible by the support of the corporate sector and the visual arts community including principal sponsors Gadens Lawyers, Principle Advisory Services, Blacksheep Productions, b2 Studios and Vogue Living Magazine.  100% of the proceeds of the auction were donated to charity.

21 AUGUST 2007 AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION ASSOCIATION

The Australian Innovation Association (AIA) consists of a group of researchers and investors who came together to represent the interests of Research and Development participants Australia wide. The objectives of the AIA are to advance Australia’s capacity for innovation and to promote a consistent and certain environment for R & D, thereby enhancing the country’s international competitiveness in the years ahead.

In August 2007 the AIA, at the instigation of Macquarie Bank Limited, extended their generosity to the Stephen Sanig Research Institute with a very generous donation of much needed funds. Due to the AIA’s contribution, SSRI has been able to greatly advance research efforts into a number of key areas related to the treatment of serious medical conditions. In this, SSRI is just a steward of the means entrusted to us, and while the immediate benefits flow to the Australian community, the benefits of our work extend to the whole global community.

SSRI wishes to thank the AIA Committee of Management and Macquarie Bank Limited for their generosity and their demonstration of the philanthropic spirit essential to the development of key technologies for the benefit of all future generations.

13 MARCH 2007 STEPHEN SANIG FOUNDATION

The Stephen Sanig Foundation (SSF) was formed by Mr. Michael and Mrs. Sue-Anne Sanig in memory of their son Stephen Sanig, who died of meningococcal infection at age 7 in June 2001. Needless to say, the Stephen Sanig Foundation provided the initial inspiration for the formation of the Stephen Sanig Research Institute and has been a major supporter since its inception.

Over the years, the Stephen Sanig Foundation has been instrumental in funding the acquisition of a number of items of specialist laboratory equipment required for us to be able to effectively conduct our research and development efforts towards the creation of a broad spectrum meningococcal vaccine. As such, SSRI thanks the Stephen Sanig Foundation for their continuous and ongoing support, without which our work would be greatly hampered.

24 OCTOBER 2007 KIDS FOR LIFE

At the VIP Breakfast event held on 24 October at The Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Ms. Kate Dixon, President of Kids for Life, presented Mrs. Sue-Anne Sanig, a co-founder of the Institute, a cheque of $150,000 towards meningococcal research.

Standing from the left: Sue-Anne Sanig, Michael Sanig, Kate Dixon, Dr. Kaseko, Sabna Krishnan, Izabela Banovec, Dr. Mahaworasilpa

Early this year SSRI was privileged to be selected as one of the two beneficiaries of the 2007 Kids for Life Annual Ball held on 24 March at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, where around 700 guests including celebrities, media personnel and distinguished supporters gathered to help raise funds for meningococcal and juvenile diabetes research.

Standing from the left: Sue-Anne Sanig, Robin Millner and Dr. Kaseko

The donated funds would expedite SSRI’s research into development of a broad spectrum prophylactic vaccine and therapeutic serum. Meningococcal disease is an infectious disease, caused by meningococci that can be found at the back of the throat or in the nose of about 10% of the community. It is spread by contact through the respiratory droplets of infected people. If not correctly diagnosed and promptly treated, it can result in death within hours after the onset of the infection, or permanent disability including visual and hearing loss, speech disorders, mental retardation, and loss of limbs. For more information on awareness of meningococcal disease, please visit the website of the Stephen Sanig Foundation.

Since the Institute currently receives no government funding, it therefore relies on the kindness and generosity of the public and its supporters. The Institute is grateful to the Kids for Life team for the time and effort they put in establishing this great organisation and their support of the Institute.